FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

HL Deb 29 June 1965 vol 267 cc845-6WA

LORD HURD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Ministry of Agriculture has been able to identify the type of virus responsible for the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Kent, and to find out whether the virus came from the Continent of Europe or South America; and whether the United Kingdom is now completely clear of infection.

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)

In the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Kent the virus was found to be of type "C". This is one of the types com monly found in Europe and also in South America, and is one which has been frequently encountered in Great Britain in earlier years.

In spite of very thorough investigation, it is not possible to say where the virus came from, and the origin of this outbreak has, therefore, been classed as obscure. The outbreak was an isolated one occurring in cattle and it is indeed seldom possible in such cases to establish the source of the infection with any degree of certainty.

Restrictions on the infected premises were removed on June 3, since which date the United Kingdom has remained clear of infection.

House adjourned at twenty-two minutes before nine o'clock.